A CHRISTMAS concert at Talgarth Town Hall raised more than £600 for farming families in hardship – and donations are still coming in.

The concert was organised by Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's Brecon and Radnor committee and Elaine Stephens, chairman of the committee, welcomed guests and artists.

The Rhayader and District Male Voice Choir, conducted expertly by Jonathan Pearce, thrilled the audience with a repertoire that included traditional favourites such as Men of Harlech and Myfanwy as well as a piece that was especially commissioned for the choir, 100 years from Passchendaele.

There were many highlights from the soloists including Sophie Jones, performing O Holy Night and a rendition of The Holy City by Wynne Rees. The choir and soloists were superbly accompanied by Bethan Rees, Val Whiston and Mike Chappell.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is a welfare charity which helps farmers and farmworkers of all ages, giving out grants of around £2 million each year in Wales and England. In Brecon and Radnor, grants of more than £20,000 have been paid out in 2017.

Linda Jones, RABI's regional manager for Wales, said: "I'd like to thank everyone who made the evening such a success, not least our star performers, the Rhayader and District Male Voice Choir, Sophie Jones and Wynne Rees. This Talgarth event is usually RABI's first Christmas concert of the year in Wales and it was a lovely evening once again."

Elaine Stephens added: "On behalf of our Brecon and Radnor committee I would like to thank Stephen Mills of Rhayader 4x4 and William and Jane Collard from Mid Wales Incineration Ltd for financially supporting the event. We are always grateful to local businesses and supporters for their donations towards events and the charity's work."